Phrase search
Discover how to perform a phrase search when searching WorldCat indexes.
Definición
The system searches for complete data in an indexed subfield. Only whole phrase indexes include data within specifically identified subfields.
Index label format
xx= (where x represents an alphanumeric character)
- The equals sign (=) is the format for exact phrase indexes. If you add an equals sign (=) to a word-only index (e.g., Branch Definition/Shelf Location), it will not create an exact anchored phrase search.
- Works with or without quotes assuming it is clear when the phrase search ends and the next search element begins (e.g., mc=chants other AND yr:1940-4).
xx:”term1 term2” (where x represents an alphanumeric character).
- Enclose search terms in quotation marks to retrieve records with the exact phrase in a word index. If you do not enclose your search terms in quotation marks, records containing either word will be retrieved (e.g., su:"french language" retrieves records containing french language while su:french language retrieves records containing both french and language).
Ejemplos
Author name — James, Henry Alfred
- A personal name phrase search (pn=james, henry alfred) will retrieve only records with this precise name within the fields identified by the index.
- It is an anchored search, so it must start with james.
- It is an exact phrase, so all terms are required to appear in data order within a subfield.
- A personal name word search (pn:"henry alfred") will typically retrieve a larger number of records with these terms next to each other within the same subfield.
- It is an unanchored search, so the search term enclosed in quotation marks can appear anywhere within an indexed subfield.
- It is not a precise search so, while both terms must be within the same subfield, they may appear before and/or after other words.